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Grades 3-5 Resources

Native American Heritage Month 2025 Graphic

Please see the resources below.

 

Native American Heritage Month

Full Lessons

10 Tips to Decolonize Your Classroom 10 Tips to Decolonize Your Classroom By Teaching Native American History
Indigenous Perspectives on Thanksgiving How has the story been told and why does it need to change? The common telling of the “First Thanksgiving” has been repeated so often and for so long that the story itself is rarely questioned or challenged as being incomplete, inaccurate, or harmful.
Life Along the River: The Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virginia Life Along the River: The Pamunkey Indian Tribe of Virginia is a digital storybook that explores the history and contemporary lives of the Pamunkey peoples. The content of the storybook is organized into four chapters. Each chapter explores a particular theme that is important to the Pamunkey Indian Tribe: place, community and culture, history, and the future. (Grades 4 & 5)
When I Was Eight When I Was Eight: Wonders Integration grades 3-5
Water Protectors Wonders Integration 3-5
Acknowledging Native Heroes All grades
Indigenous Peoples' Day Grades 3-5

Texts

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush Retold and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola This legend is about how the young Indian artist finally fulfills his Dream-Vision in which it was revealed that one day he could create a painting that was as pure as the colors of the evening sky at sunset.
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses Written and Illustrated by Paul Goble An intriguing Native American Tale of a girl who has a deep connection to the wild horses. Beautifully written and illustrated by Paul Goble this book was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustrations.
Encounter Written by Jane Yolen Illustrated by David Shannon When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492, what he discovered were the Taino Indians. Told from a young Taino boy's point of view, this is a story of how the boy tried to warn his people against welcoming the strangers, who seemed more interested in golden ornaments than friendship.
Go Show the World Written by Wab Kinew Illustrated by Joe Morse Celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. Including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price.

Videos

Okwire'shon:'a - Ahkwesashne Freedom School Students at the Ahkwesashne Freedom School take a look at the Maple Tree and its importance to their community
Native Americans for Kids From this video, students will learn about the five main Native American tribes who originally lived in the USA.
The Word Indigenous Explained Indigenous people are the first people to live in a place. In Canada, Indigenous people belong to a number of different communities or nations. CBC Kids News' Sid and Ruby explain.

Additional Resources

Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
Lesson Plan Indigenous People's Day: Native American Leaders of Diplomacy, Resistance, and Justice In this 2-day lesson honoring Indigenous People’s Day, children will learn about powerful Native American leaders, how they led and what they stood for. Students will actively engage in research, art integration and presenting to peers.
Worksheet Native American Tribes Students can explore the Mohawk tribe by working on this worksheet. Mohawk, the Native American group played an important role in American history. After reading about the tribe, students will complete a comprehension exercise and then solve a secret code!
Lesson Plan Native American Legends From this lesson, students will will be able to write a legend that includes all important characteristics of a legend.

Grade Level Standards